Indon says it's all about press freedom
January 08, 2008
INDONESIA media experts are angry. It all started when an Indonesian reporter interviewed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Picture: REUTERS
The October interview was shown on a talk show called K!CK Andy on Indonesia's Metro TV.
Malaysian Information Minister Dato Seri Zainudin slammed the Indonesian media for being insensitive to Malaysia by airing Mr Anwar's views, reported The Jakarta Post.
Now, Indonesia media observers have hit back at Mr Zainudin, saying Indonesian media has a right to do want it wants.
Communications expert from the University of Indonesia, Mr Effendi Gazali, said Mr Zainudin was wrong to say the Indonesian media was insensitive.
He said: 'That was a huge mistake. He said that just to protect his government's interest.'
He added that the minister should not have kicked up a fuss.
GO ON, CRITICISE OUR LEADERS
'We Indonesians would be very happy if the Malaysian media or scholars criticised President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or other Indonesian leaders,' Mr Effendi said.
Similar criticism came from the secretary general of the Alliance of Independent Journalists Abdul Manan.
'What's wrong with interviewing Mr Anwar? Indonesians have a right to know what's going on in Malaysia,' he said.
'Press freedom is very limited in Malaysia, which makes the media there less critical of the government.
'Rallies or other events that may reflect negatively on the government are rarely covered because doing so invites repression.'
Host and Metro TV chief executive Andy Noya said Mr Anwar spoke on Indonesia-Malaysia relations and the rise of Asians in international leadership circles.
'As a reformist leader, Mr Anwar's thoughts are worth listening to,' Mr Andy said. He added that Metro TV had no intention of meddling in Malaysia's internal matters.
'It's not the responsibility of the Indonesian press to maintain the stability of Malaysian politics... Speaking of sensitivity, how sensitive are the Malaysian government and media about Indonesia?'
He added that Indonesians should be happy to live in a more democratic system even though Malaysia's eonomy is doing better.
'Democracy in Malaysia is an artificial democracy. Just look at the trial of Mr Anwar,' he said.
Mr Effendi added that although Indonesian democracy had yet to make its people rich, at least the political tension in the country did not lead to bloodshed as it did in other countries.
'Despite some problems, we are on the path to real democracy,' he said.
January 08, 2008
INDONESIA media experts are angry. It all started when an Indonesian reporter interviewed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Picture: REUTERS
The October interview was shown on a talk show called K!CK Andy on Indonesia's Metro TV.
Malaysian Information Minister Dato Seri Zainudin slammed the Indonesian media for being insensitive to Malaysia by airing Mr Anwar's views, reported The Jakarta Post.
Now, Indonesia media observers have hit back at Mr Zainudin, saying Indonesian media has a right to do want it wants.
Communications expert from the University of Indonesia, Mr Effendi Gazali, said Mr Zainudin was wrong to say the Indonesian media was insensitive.
He said: 'That was a huge mistake. He said that just to protect his government's interest.'
He added that the minister should not have kicked up a fuss.
GO ON, CRITICISE OUR LEADERS
'We Indonesians would be very happy if the Malaysian media or scholars criticised President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or other Indonesian leaders,' Mr Effendi said.
Similar criticism came from the secretary general of the Alliance of Independent Journalists Abdul Manan.
'What's wrong with interviewing Mr Anwar? Indonesians have a right to know what's going on in Malaysia,' he said.
'Press freedom is very limited in Malaysia, which makes the media there less critical of the government.
'Rallies or other events that may reflect negatively on the government are rarely covered because doing so invites repression.'
Host and Metro TV chief executive Andy Noya said Mr Anwar spoke on Indonesia-Malaysia relations and the rise of Asians in international leadership circles.
'As a reformist leader, Mr Anwar's thoughts are worth listening to,' Mr Andy said. He added that Metro TV had no intention of meddling in Malaysia's internal matters.
'It's not the responsibility of the Indonesian press to maintain the stability of Malaysian politics... Speaking of sensitivity, how sensitive are the Malaysian government and media about Indonesia?'
He added that Indonesians should be happy to live in a more democratic system even though Malaysia's eonomy is doing better.
'Democracy in Malaysia is an artificial democracy. Just look at the trial of Mr Anwar,' he said.
Mr Effendi added that although Indonesian democracy had yet to make its people rich, at least the political tension in the country did not lead to bloodshed as it did in other countries.
'Despite some problems, we are on the path to real democracy,' he said.
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